Happy Halloween!

Candy & Costumes & All Saints, Oh My!

Today is Halloween – a day that carries many mixed connotations and feelings. For many in the USA, it is a day of dressing up in silly costumes and for getting candy while trick-or-treating. For others, however, it is a day to glamorize the occult and place undue focus on the spiritual forces of wickedness. I imagine that if you sit firmly ensconced in one camp, you likely find it hard to believe anyone could be in the other. Personally, I’m not a big fan of Halloween. I have never liked scary things and I’m uncomfortable with haunted houses and things that go bump in the night. I am, however, a big fan of two prominent aspects of the day in the USA: costumes and candy! I probably don’t need to say much about candy – just look at my waist line – but costumes, well that’s definitely something about which I can wax poetic.

The costume hunt was an annual rite of passage for me. I can remember going to Thrift Mart, a local one-stop-shop near where I grew up, to select my costume of choice. You might remember the plastic kind in the 70s and 80s that you wore like a smock and had that unusually smelling mask with an elastic band going around your head. I also remember when I outgrew those and my mom and dad took it upon themselves to help me make my own. I had a homemade Ghostbuster costume made from a jumpsuit and an old vacuum cleaner; a homemade King Arthur Tunic and Excalibur; and the crown jewel of my homemade costume collection: a Darth Vader mask my dad crafted out of an old plastic police helmet, cardboard, and copious amounts of black spray paint. Yes, Halloween can be fun and a great opportunity to make lasting memories. I am eager to escort Ethan through our neighborhood this evening in his cool 80s dude getup from what will likely be one of our final trick-or-treating jaunts of his childhood. But once all the trick-or-treating and silly childhood costumes are in our past, Halloween will still be something that will have significance in my life.

How about a brief history lesson as to the origin of Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve? Though it definitely has some roots in pagan rituals, many scholars believe it has roots in Christianity. Halloween is observed on the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Saints Day. All Saints was introduced on May 13^th of the year 609. In 835, it was switched to November 1 under Pope Gregory IV to coincide with the same date as a Celtic observance called, Samhain, as a way to teach of GOD’s love, grace, and preeminence.

In its earliest origins in connection to Halloween, All Saints Day was the day it was believed the souls of the departed made their transition from the physical world to the next. The night before their transition, it was thought that the spirits would roam the earth for one last hoorah. Some of the spirits were feared to be nasty, so people would wear costumes to disguise themselves from those that might seek revenge on the living. This gave rise to the tradition of wearing costumes on Halloween.

Today, the connection between Halloween and All Saints is practically nonexistent, but in some Christian traditions, All Saints is still celebrated as the day when we remember the saints who have passed away and the spiritual bond between the living and those who are in heaven. Traditions of All Saints Day include reading the names of the deceased while ringing bells and/or lighting candles (we will do this in each of our worship celebrations on Sunday at Cokes Chapel UMC). Taking us back to Halloween, though, there are two other quite familiar modern traditions that connect these two ancient days of observance.

In the 12^th Century, the custom of “souling” emerged where poor people and children in Great Britain and Ireland would go door-to-door and offer songs and/or prayers in exchange for cakes, fruit, and other food items. The custom of souling in costumes, also known as guising, is believed to have its origins in Scotland in the late 1800s, where costumed people carried hollowed out lanterns made from turnips. This tradition continued in North America, but shifted to using pumpkins because of their size and softness, making them easier to carve. They were more difficult to carry, however, and as a result, began to serve as jack-o-lanterns and were used as a way to ward off the nasty spirits that were gallivanting around on Halloween. Trick-or-treating, as it is known today, is more of an Americanized tradition from the original souling, allowing all children to enjoy the fun of costumes and sweet treats, with the jack-o-lanterns informing kids and families that a particular home is open to passing out candy.

I hope you find a little Halloween history helpful in connecting our modern day fun traditions with the All Saints celebrations we will experience in worship on Sunday. There is no doubt that Halloween should mean more in light of the Christian connections to our faith in salvation and life eternal as we add an exclamation point to the belief that death is not the end. This means even more to me this year while I remember the loss of family and friends who are gathering with the great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12.1) at the throne of Jesus in heaven! So as we prepare for however we will mark this evening, may we do so remembering what Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11.25-26)

Remembering...

I lost my grandmother, affectionately known as GaGa, on Monday (October 22, 2012). She had just turned 91 in September and had been in failing health for a while. She had dementia and lost control over her mind and body, and it was so sad to see…so sad and I must confess I didn’t handle it as well as I should have. I did not call or visit anywhere near as frequently as I should have. I miss her terribly, though I have closure after telling her goodbye shortly before she passed away peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Since then, our family has engaged in the profound experience of sharing lasting memories in stories and experiences, and it has been so helpful. Many of these stories are of events that we all witnessed or experienced first-hand, but there is something cathartic about sharing, laughing, and shedding tears – because of our grief and also laughing so hard – as a way to grapple with our love in light of our loss.

I have many memories of my grandmother; in fact, some of my favorite childhood memories are of being at my GaGa’s home with my brother, sister, and cousins who were my heroes as a child, but that’s a blog for another day. GaGa lived on Lake Blackshear in Cordele, Georgia and had a property right on the water. Our visits always included boat rides, fishing, grand fish suppers, attempts at skiing (still can’t get up on skis to this day), hunting for fossils and arrow heads, and keeping an eye peeled for swampy wildlife. It was a kid’s dream, and even though I am more of an insufferable city boy today, those are cherished memories of times that have helped shape and form me into the person I am. And even though I am guilty of allowing the busyness of life to prevent me for visiting as often as I should, I love taking Ethan down to GaGa’s and sharing my memories and stories while teaching him to bait a hook, eat a fish and hushpuppy, and drive a boat while navigating the waters.

Someone asked me earlier today about my favorite memory with my GaGa. I didn’t have to think at all, because this was the story I told on my grandmother’s beloved porch overlooking the water surrounded by family and friends. I was about seventeen and my brother and I had gone down for spring break. She allowed us to bring a friend, so the four of us were on her dock fishing and having fun. In the midst of fishing and teenage frivolity, I remember my grandmother calling out to us from the house, “Boys, just stay right where you are.” I remember turning around and there was GaGa, running down the hill and firing off three or four shots from a .38 pistol. Needless to say, the four of us were shocked until we saw a huge water moccasin – a very poisonous snake – bob up and down in the water until it died from grandmother-inflicted gunshot wounds. It turns out that snake had been swimming toward us and she would not let it get close to her precious grandchildren and their friends. Now I could go on-and-on about what a great aim she had, and how impressive it was that she, at approximately 70 years old, shot a snake from thirty to forty yards out while running mid-stride down a hill, but what strikes me is how she was lovingly watching us enjoy ourselves while keeping an eye out for danger. That is a memory-creating experience that I will carry my entire life!

All throughout Scripture, God calls His people to pause, remember and reflect, and allow those memories to shape the rest of their lives. One of my favorite stories in the Scripture comes from Joshua 4 as Joshua led the Israelites through the Jordan River. The Lord then commanded the people to set up an altar to remind them of what they had seen as GOD acted on their behalf. What I particularly love is in vs.6 and again in vs.21-22 as GOD makes a point that the children will have questions about the things that the Lord has done, and the people are to share those stories and teach them about how GOD loves us and looks out for us. Much like my grandmother did for my brother, my friends, and me that beautiful spring afternoon.

Memory is a powerful gift given by GOD. The Lord has also equipped us with our five senses that connect with memory and help us experience past events in such a real and heart-level fashion. Sometimes those memories bring us joy, sometimes they bring us pain, and sometimes they bring us a mixture of the two. Through it all, however, our memories help us connect our past, present, and future while maintaining the perspective that we have a GOD who is always watching us, caring for us, and helping us navigate the tricky waters of life.

What is it you are being called to remember? Who are you being called to remember? Remembering is a powerful and poignant tool that helps us know that we are not alone, even when times might be tough. So wherever it is that your life has carried you to the very moment where you sit down to read this message, know that your memory is a gift from GOD, as well as a calling to remember your life and the legacy of those who have gone on before you.

I love and miss you, GaGa. Thank you for helping provide some of the favorite memories of my life. And while I must admit that tears are dripping on my keyboard as I type this blog, I remember the promise of GOD that death is not the end – that the grave is absolutely NOT our final resting place – and the time will come when we all will gather in heaven and share the memories and stories of our entire lives with a complete perspective. But until then, I’ll be remembering…

Three Steps to Help You Find Your Strength

Last week I wrote about My Strength vs. GOD’s Strength. This week, I want to delve a bit deeper into the concept of inner strength. Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott wrote a wonderful book on this subject, and in their book, they discuss three important techniques to truly tap into one’s GOD-given inner strength. Below is a summary of their teaching.

"How content are you with your life? Do ever feel like you’re waiting on life – real life – to begin? Do you ever feel like the stress and strain of your daily routine, the pressures and fatigue of it, are keeping you stuck while you continue to hold out hope for the adventure of your life to start – someday? Down deep you know there is more to this life than merely making it. You know your future holds promise. And yet the uncertainty and powerlessness you sometimes feel causes you to question your ability to rise above your current circumstances. It keeps you from doing what you need to do. Here’s the good news: you’re stronger than you think. Here are the internal wells where your strength is most likely to reside. But be forewarned. They are found in counter-intuitive places.

Think simply – there’s strength in clearing your head. Few experts would dispute the fact that the beginning of renewed strength starts with how you think. Our mind is where we analyze, figure-out and plan. It’s where we hold our knowledge and understanding. We’ve all heard about the undeniable power of our attitudes. But I propose a new way of drawing strength from your mind. It has to do with simplicity. It has to do with finding strength by clearing your head to discover what should have been obvious all along. Too often, we make life more complicated than it needs to be and we get bogged down as a result. It makes us sluggish and exhausted. It’s time to travel light and think more simply, and in turn, find a fresh resolve and a new tenacity.

GOD wants to help you clear the clutter in your mind to think more simply. The Bible says, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2.2) Simplify your mind and begin with the purest knowledge that GOD loves you and saves you through the love of His Son, Jesus.

Feel vulnerable – there’s strength in owning your weakness. While the cognitive part of you may be a starting place for strength, your heart holds a wealth of power when you know where to tap it. And that, paradoxically, begins by finding the strength that comes through owning your weakness. Of course, I realize this goes against common knowledge. It runs against the grain of anyone who is trying to appear powerful. But that’s the point. I’m talking about authentic strength that comes from the inside out. It’s not about building a strong façade. And that’s why vulnerability is instrumental in finding the emotional power in your heart. Vulnerability begets vulnerability. It builds connection and comradely.

Jesus made Himself vulnerable by accepting death and painful separation from GOD so we would not have to. This vulnerability, rooted in His incredible humility, gave Him the power to meet us where we are, even in the face of our own weaknesses. The Bible says, “Who, being in very nature GOD, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2.6-7)

Be emptied – there’s strength in surrender. The ultimate source of strength resides deep in your soul. The secret is to empty yourself of your striving for strength. It may sound incongruent, maybe even absurd, but this deeply spiritual surrender, when done properly, is the only means to finding the abiding strength your soul desires. And it’s in your soul that you will discover a new boldness that will likely surprise you. It is in your soul that your faith, no matter how feeble, can conjure up courage. It is in your soul that you will discover a power greater than you ever imagined.

The Bible tells us that GOD “emptied” His love out into us so that, we can benefit from His strength and use that strength to benefit others. “...God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”  (Romans 5.5b) This means that the strength we have comes from GOD and is given so that we can be strength, not just for ourselves, but also for others.

Too often, we bide our time with the routine of a life that we hope will one day take us across the chasm. Our days become stacked upon other days. And as time moves forward, we think about the great abyss in our quieter moments. We wonder if we should take the leap soon. But the busyness of our days pulls us back from the edge and we perpetually postpone it. Why? Because we are afraid we do not have the strength to make it. Don’t let that happen. You’re stronger than you think.”

In Christ, we do have strength! Strength is not just for ourselves, but also for the sake of others. Use that strength to keep going, even when times are tough. You can be the change you want to see in the world. (Gandhi)

Parrott, Les and Leslie. You're Stronger Than You Think: The Power to Do What You Feel You Can't. Tyndale House Publishers, August 2012.

Based on article posted on FoxNews.com, published September 9, 2012.